The Maine Centennial Half Dollar: A Coin with a Complicated Past
Imagine a coin that was meant to celebrate the centennial of an entire state’s admission to the Union—how could such a commemorative piece fail to capture the imagination? The Maine Centennial half dollar, struck in 1920, is one such coin. But its journey from conception to circulation was far from straightforward.
From Idea to Legislation
Wasn’t it a simple idea for Governor Carl Milliken and the council of Maine to propose a half dollar as a way to celebrate their state’s 100th anniversary? But sometimes, even the simplest ideas can face unexpected challenges.
The Legislative Process
On February 11, 1920, Congressman Peters introduced a bill in the House of Representatives. The bill was referred to the Committee on Coinage, Weights, and Measures. After some discussion, the committee recommended that the House pass the bill, which it did.
It’s like proposing a new law—sometimes you just need someone to champion your cause, and Congressman Peters certainly did his part!
The Design Process
Once the legislation was passed, the next step was to design the coin. Sketches were prepared by Harry Cochrane and sent to Charles Moore for an opinion. James Earle Fraser disliked the initial sketches and recommended a plaster model instead.
Designing a coin is no small task—it’s like creating a miniature work of art that needs to be both beautiful and meaningful!
The Final Design
An agreement was reached, and Anthony de Francisci completed the models by early July. These were approved by the Commission on July 9. The Philadelphia Mint then created coin dies using these models.
De Francisci’s work is often credited with the design, but it turns out that the initial sketches were actually done by an unknown sculptor. It just goes to show how many hands can shape a project!
The Production and Distribution
With the designs finalized, the Philadelphia Mint produced 50,028 half dollars. However, these coins didn’t circulate as planned. Instead, they were sold at $1 each by the Office of the State Treasurer to raise funds for centennial celebrations.
It’s like trying to sell a product that everyone wants but isn’t sure what it is—people bought them, but many ended up in circulation rather than as collectibles!
The Aftermath
By 1929, all 50,000 authorized coins had been sold. Many pieces were spent in circulation, and few were sold to collectors. Today, the coin lists for hundreds to thousands of dollars depending on condition.
It’s a reminder that sometimes even well-intentioned projects can face unexpected outcomes—like when you’re trying to sell lemonade but end up giving it away!
Conclusion
The Maine Centennial half dollar is a fascinating piece of American numismatic history. It serves as a reminder that even the most well-intentioned projects can face unexpected challenges, and sometimes the best intentions don’t always lead to the desired outcomes.
It’s a story that reminds us that every coin has its own unique journey—just like every state in our Union!
You want to know more about Maine Centennial half dollar?
This page is based on the article Maine Centennial half dollar published in Wikipedia (retrieved on November 29, 2024) and was automatically summarized using artificial intelligence.
